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NFL: Top 10 safeties ahead of the 2018 season

By Keegan Jackish

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Torrey Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a third quarter touchdown past Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Torrey Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a third quarter touchdown past Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

10. Reshad Jones (Miami Dolphins)

Jones has played on a mediocre secondary (and team for that matter) a lot in the past few seasons, but Dolphins fans should be very excited about the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick to their secondary. Jones will only benefit from this and I could see his overall numbers improving in 2018.

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9. Landon Collins (New York Giants)

The Giants need the 2016 Landon Collins if they want their defense to rebound in 2018. I see Collins as someone who could be in multiple Pro Bowls over the course of his career.

8. Devin McCourty (New England Patriots)

McCourty wasn’t quite as good in 2017 as he has been in past seasons. This negative trend has a chance to continue if the Patriots’ defense has some of the same problems this season. Still, McCourty is a resilient player who I can see overcoming losing names like Malcolm Butler on the defensive side of the ball. The talented New England safety corps is still intact from last season, which is a huge bonus to a defense that could use a few of those.

7. Malcolm Jenkins (Philadelphia Eagles)

Jenkins was a key player for the 2017 Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles. He had a tremendous impact on an Eagles defense that needed a boost after quarterback Carson Wentz went down. Without Jenkins, it’s hard to see that Eagles defense being quite as dominant as it was last year.

6. Kevin Byard (Tennessee Titans)

Byard showed his ability as a ball-hawking safety last season, leading the league in interceptions. That’s an impressive milestone for such a young player. Byard is an underdog on a list full of established stars, yet I have confidence he could be in the top five of these rankings next year.

Byard will certainly be needed in a division featuring quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Deshaun Watson, who will both (hopefully) be healthy in 2018.

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